TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Transfer
Columbus Crew SC on Friday announced the acquisition of Brazilian winger Francisco Wellington Barbosa de Lisboa, better known as Robinho, Robinho Barbosa or Robinho Madalena, from Ceara SC for an undisclosed transfer fee.
The 23-year-old midfielder – not to be confused with the 34-year-old Robinho who starred at Real Madrid and is now playing professionally in Turkey – has made 119 appearances across all competitions in Brazil, scoring 14 goals, and will be added to the Crew’s roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa; he will occupy an international roster slot on their roster.
“We want to welcome Robinho to Columbus Crew SC as he is a young and dynamic wide attacking midfielder with tireless energy,” said Crew SC president Tim Bezbatchenko in a club release. “At 23, Robinho brings experience from more than 100 matches across all competitions in Brazil and we look forward to watching him continue to develop as we believe he adds depth at our wide attacking midfielder position.”
Robinho last played for Ceara Sporting Club in Brazil’s First Division during the second half of the 2018 season, where he made two appearances in the Brazilian Serie A following a loan stint at Santa Cruz Futebol Clube of Brazil’s third division earlier in the year.
He began his career with Itapipoca Esporte Clube before joining Ceara, and has also turned out on loan for Associacao Desportiva Confianca in Serie B and Serie C, as well as Esporte Clube Novo Hamburgo and Cuiaba Esporte Clube on loan.
